Check the action on your guitar. If you are playing an acoustic, you have a couple choices. You can get light gauge strings such as Daddario 10 46 gauge, or also another choice is to take the guitar to Guitar Center if you have one in your area, or any Guitar shop and have them lower the action for you. They might replace the nut and the bridge on your guitar, but I believe the cost is minimal, so maybe not more than $50.00 to have the action lowered. As far as practicing, I know how frustrating it can be, just take your time and get a good tone from using first and second fingers and it will come eventually. Might take a week or so.